IN the smouldering aftermath of each fire outbreak, communities are left grappling with the devastating consequences — homes reduced to ashes, livelihoods destroyed and lives lost.
Yet, amidst the charred remains and sorrowful reflections, a recurring truth emerges: many fires are preventable, often stemming from our negligence.
Having spent over three decades in the fire service, witnessing countless tragedies, it’s disheartening to note the persistent lack of lessons learned.
It’s time for a wake-up call — a call to embrace Total Fire Safety.
Unsafe practices, poor maintenance cultures, and a lack of awareness about fire security have become endemic in our society.
Despite the stark reminders of past tragedies, the lessons seem to fade into oblivion until the next disaster strikes.
The harsh reality is that the overwhelming majority of domestic and industrial fires are caused by human negligence, yet fingers are often pointed elsewhere in the aftermath.
Many harbour a dangerous belief that such fiery catastrophes won’t befall them, until they find themselves amid the flames, bewildered at their vulnerability.
This complacency is exacerbated by a glaring lack of fire safety knowledge among communities, where basic understanding of preventive measures and survival strategies remains alarmingly low.
We must dispel the notion that fires discriminate.
They do not wait for appointments or holidays; they engulf everything in their path when precaution, prevention and protection are neglected.
It’s imperative to instil a culture of proactive fire safety measures, where every household understands the potential dangers and takes responsibility for mitigating risks.
This is why I have always stressed how education is the cornerstone of fire prevention.
From understanding the basic principles of fire science to recognising the factors that influence fire spread, knowledge empowers individuals to take informed action.
Whether it’s through maintaining electrical equipment, practising good housekeeping, or minimising fire loads, every effort counts in averting potential disasters.
However, knowledge alone is not enough as it must be coupled with proactive engagement and strategic planning at the community level.
An integrated approach, encompassing fire engineering, education, enforcement, emergency response management, and economic incentives, is essential to curtail fire incidents and minimise their impact.
Building a safer environment requires a collective effort — one where individuals, communities, and authorities work hand in hand to mitigate risks and safeguard lives and property.
It is about shifting from reactive responses to proactive measures, from lamenting losses to preventing them altogether.
We must heed the lessons of the past and embrace a new paradigm of fire safety — one that prioritises prevention over reaction, and community empowerment over complacency.
Together, with the right knowledge and commitment, we can champion the cause of fire safety and ensure a safer future for generations to come.
After all, the choice between safety and complacency rests in our hands, and we must choose wisely.
Let us not wait for the next tragedy to strike before we take action.
Let us be proactive, let us be vigilant, and let us be the champions of Total Fire Safety in our communities.
The fundamental question that arises here is: Are we prepared to change to rise above our current complacency and take charge of our safety?
Every individual’s role matters significantly, considering that each is a piece of the puzzle in the collective effort toward fire precaution, prevention and protection.
Recent fires and incidents have occurred due to communities’ selfishness, by thinking that such tragedies won’t happen to them.
It’s only after the incidents that they lament their lack of action, saying, “If I had known and done this and that, this tragedy or fire wouldn’t have happened.”
Our motto is clear: “We want to see you before the fire, and not after.”
My engagement with communities always emphasises fire prevention, not post-fire reaction.
We aim to educate communities fully about how their safety is their choice, and we want to ensure that their choices are the right ones.
For example, the department recently held a fire evacuation training in Ulung Palang B Village, Bario.
The training was carried out by our auxiliary firefighters in Bario together with the Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) whereby they inspected and tested all fire hydrants available in the village.
At the same time, the training also taught participants how to properly use fire extinguishing equipment which is important in our mission to ensure everyone knows how to handle fires.
These knowledge and skills are crucial as they will contribute significantly in times of need.
As such, I would like to remind the Sarawak communities that together, with the right knowledge and fundamentals, we can be champions in safeguarding our communities and our living environment.
Let us embrace Total Fire Safety as a way of life and pave the path to a safer tomorrow for all.
The views expressed here are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the New Sarawak Tribune.
